Some Thanksgiving Eve Tolls Free: Allston/Brighton Plaza

MassDOT announced today that tolls for both eastbound and westbound drivers at the Allston/Brighton toll plazas (interchanges 18, 19 and 20) on the Massachusetts Turnpike, I-90, will be free for drivers the evening before Thanksgiving, thanks to a partnership with Zappos.com, a leading online destination for apparel and footwear sales.

Zappos.com will pay the tolls between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23. Fast Lane customers will receive the benefit as well and will see a credit and message from Zappos.com on their next statement.

Zappos.com will pay for all tolls and signage announcing the free tolls. Drivers must still stop at the tollbooth or go through the FastLane with their transponders.

Last year, 160,000 toll transactions were made at the featured interchanges on the night before Thanksgiving. Approximately 16,000 transactions occurred between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., an increase of 1,300 transactions from 2009.

During the Thanksgiving travel period, the majority of visitors come to Massachusetts to spend time with family and friends. Long-distance trips of more than 50 miles increase by 54%. The state sees an estimated 500,000+ visitors during Thanksgiving week.